Newfoundland Circumnavigation 2013
Our fall itinerary showcases the best of Newfoundland: stunning autumnal scenery, natural wonders of Gros Morne, Viking, Basque and ancient history and kitchen parties in remote out-ports. The warmth, wit and hospitality and rough beauty of Newfoundland’s shores draws us here year after year.
Setting out from historic St. John’s we sail to Fogo Island, considered one of the four corners of Earth. From here we spend a few days immersing ourselves in the past 7,500 years, give or take.
Located at the island’s tip, L’Anse aux Meadows is the only authenticated Viking site in North America, and is widely regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites globally. At Red Bay, on Labrador’s coast, we’ll explore an ancient Basque whaling station, where three 16th century whaling galleons and four small chalupas haunt the deep waters. At L’Anse-Amour, at the Straight of Belle Isle, we visit the oldest burial mound in North America at about 7,500 years old. The Maritime Archaic people used the area between 5500 and 2000 BC to hunt harp seals and walrus.
Next is the natural history of Gros Morne National Park, mid-way down Newfoundland’s coast. The park is defined by Precambrian cliffs, deep inland fjords and volcanic “pillow” rocks formed as lava cooled underwater, where the ancient ocean bed lies on top of high hills, helping to establish the “Tectonic plate” theory.
Before disembarking at St. John’s we’ll visit Miquelon, the sole remnant of France’s once vast North American possessions.
Setting out from historic St. John’s we sail to Fogo Island, considered one of the four corners of Earth. From here we spend a few days immersing ourselves in the past 7,500 years, give or take.
Located at the island’s tip, L’Anse aux Meadows is the only authenticated Viking site in North America, and is widely regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites globally. At Red Bay, on Labrador’s coast, we’ll explore an ancient Basque whaling station, where three 16th century whaling galleons and four small chalupas haunt the deep waters. At L’Anse-Amour, at the Straight of Belle Isle, we visit the oldest burial mound in North America at about 7,500 years old. The Maritime Archaic people used the area between 5500 and 2000 BC to hunt harp seals and walrus.
Next is the natural history of Gros Morne National Park, mid-way down Newfoundland’s coast. The park is defined by Precambrian cliffs, deep inland fjords and volcanic “pillow” rocks formed as lava cooled underwater, where the ancient ocean bed lies on top of high hills, helping to establish the “Tectonic plate” theory.
Before disembarking at St. John’s we’ll visit Miquelon, the sole remnant of France’s once vast North American possessions.
18 September, 2013 to 27 September, 2013
Cat 1 Quad Lwr Fwd
$3695.00 USD pp
Quad Lower Forward: 2 upper 2 lower berths, porthole window.
Cat 2 Triple Lwr Deck
$4495.00 USD pp
Triple Lower Deck: 1 upper 2 lower berths, porthole window
Cat 3 Junior Double
$5095.00 USD pp
Two lower berths, porthole window
Cat 4 Double
$5695.00 USD pp
Two lower berths, midship, porthole window.
Cat 5 Main Double
$6595.00 USD pp
Two lower berths, porthole window.
Cat 6 Deluxe Double
$7095.00 USD pp
Two lower berths, midship, porthole window
Cat 7 Superior Double
$7995.00 USD pp
Two lower berths, picture window.
Cat 8 Junior Suite
$8595.00 USD pp
Two lower berths, sitting area, picture window
Cat 9 Suite
$8995.00 USD pp
Two lower beds, sitting area, picture window.
Cat 10 Owner’s Suite
$9395.00 USD pp
two lower berths, shower & bathtub, picture window.
Additional charges:
Discovery Fund Fee $250.00 USD ppNewfoundland Circumnavigation 2013 itinerary:
Day 1: St. John's, Newfoundland
We meet in St. John's, Newfoundland's historic, vibrant capital. Picturesque and welcoming, it has been continuously fished since 1498, allowing it to boast the designation of North America's oldest European settlement. We will join the Ocean Nova here.
Day 2: Fogo Island
Located 15km off Newfoundland's northeast coast, Fogo Island was originally named 'fuego' or 'fire' by the Portuguese, after fires set by early fishermen were seen burning on the island. A lucrative crab fishery has since replaced the salmon and cod fisheries that once supported the outport communities of the island. Fogo Island supports 11 communities, and a landmark proclaimed by the Flat Earth Society as one of the four corners of the Earth. We spend time experiencing island life in Fogo Town before heading further north.
Day 3: L'Anse aux Meadows
L'Anse aux Meadows, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America. Located at the tip of Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula, it is widely regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites globally.
Day 4: Red Bay and L'Anse Amour
Red Bay is a fishing village and former site of several Basque whaling stations occupied between 1550 and the early 1600s when they hunted right and bowhead whales. The remains of three Basque whaling galleons and four small chalupas haunt the depths of the waters in this area, making it an important archaeological site and earning it a UNESCO nomination.
L'Anse Amour is an important archaeological site, located on the Strait of Belle Isle coast was occupied between at least 5500 and 2000 BC by the Maritime Archaic people who used the area for fishing and hunting harp seals and walrus. The site contains the oldest burial mound found in North America to this day at about 7500 years old. The skeleton of an adolescent child was found underneath, his body was covered with red ochre and accompanied by several stone and bone spearpoints and knives, a walrus tusk, a harpoon head, an ivory carving and a bone whistle. The importance of L'Anse Amour Burial was recognized in 1978, when it was made a National Historic Site.
Day 5: Gros Morne National Park
It has been said, "Gros Morne is to geology what the Galapagos are to biology." Spectacular scenery including Precambrian cliffs, deep inland fjords and volcanic "pillow" rocks formed as lava cooled underwater- is just one of the reasons we stop here year after year. Highlights on this day include time spent exploring the Tablelands, a 600m (1900 ft) high plateau that forms one of the world's best examples of ancient rock exposed from the earth's interior, and exploring the fjord by ship.
Day 6-7: South Coast - Garria Bay, Francois
The last of the true outport communities are found here, and we will visit two of them. First, we visit the tiny village of Francois. Dramatic rock strewn cliffs surround the village, a delicate waterfall runs through the centre of town and there is a short hike to a picturesque pond overlooking the community. Tonight we are treated to music by the local band at an authentic Newfoundland 'Kitchen Party.'
Day 8: Arran Cove and Conne River / Miawpukek
A visit to Miawpukek (Conne River) will reveal a First Nation's community that has the mandate of turning the community into an economically self-sufficient community guided by traditional values. Miawpukek became a permanent community sometime around 1822. Before 1822 it was one of many semi-permanent camping sites used by the Mi'kmaw people who were at the time still nomadic and travelling throughout the east coast.
Day 9: Miquelon, France
On the northern side of the larger island, the village of Miquelon is inhabited by 600 people, mostly of Basque and Acadian ancestry. Wildlife is most abundant on this island and its couterpart to the south, the island of Langlade. The 8 mile sand dune between the two islands is peppered with over 500 shipwrecks.
Day 10: St. John's, Newfoundland
Discover one of the oldest cities in North America, a city unlike any other. Cradled in a harbour carved from 500 million year old rock and surrounded by hills running down to the ocean, St. John's is the most easterly point in North America. St. John's has been vitally important for centuries to explorers, adventurers, merchants, soldiers, pirates, and all manner of seafarers, who provided the foundation for this thriving modern day city.
Sea Adventurer
The 118-passenger Sea Adventurer, (formerly the Clipper Adventurer) is among the very few vessels in the world specifically constructed for expedition voyages to the remote polar regions. Her ice-strengthened hull permits her to glide easily and safely through ice-strewn waters that are not accessible to conventional cruise vessels.
She has advanced communications and navigation equipment, and newly installed, state-of-the-art Sperry Gyrofin stabilizers. In 1998 the Adventurer had a $13 million conversion done in Scandinavia. She is a handsome expedition vessel, done in the style of great ocean liners when ships were ships. With lots of varnished wood, brass, and wooden decks, the ship has all new outside cabins, with lower beds and private facilities.
There is a Main Lounge, bar, Clipper Club, library/card room, gymnasium and gift shop. A multi-national staff serves American and Continental cuisine. The ship has a fleet of 10 Zodiacs and a special loading platform. An ice class rating of A-1 allows the Clipper Adventurer to go to places larger cruise ships can only dream of, and she does it in comfort and style unsurpassed by other vessels her size.
Cabins: All cabins have a window with outside view. Each has private facilities
Cabins and amenities
- 61 outside cabins with exterior views and private facilities.
- Decks 4 and 5 have exterior access, with outside seating.
- Window-lined dining room on Deck 4 with unreserved seating.
- Lounge/Presentation Room.
- 2 bars.
- Library.
- Gift shop.
- 4 hour beverage station.
- Ship-to-shore satellite communications with email, and wireless, Internet access.
- Clinic with licensed doctor.
- Exercise room.
Vessel Type: Comfortable Expedition
Length: 90 meters
Beam: 16.2 meters
Speed (average): 12 Knots
Built and Refurbished: 1975 and 1998
Capacity: 118 (in twin Cabins)
Registry: Bahamas
